LCS boys hoops battles SMCC

Doug Donnelly Daily Telegram Sports Writer

Tuesday

Feb 19, 2019 at 7:00 AM

Lenawee Christian didn’t beat Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central Monday, but the grit, determination and composure it showed in a 64-53 loss will be something to keep in mind when the state tournament starts next week.

The Cougars (13-4) led after the first quarter and at halftime and were within four points with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. They also lost starting forward Hutson Hohlbein to an ankle injury that had players and fans turning their heads to avoid looking at the injury but somehow overcame all of that to go toe-to-toe with the Falcons, a team playing for the Huron League championship Wednesday.

“They played with a lot of grit and heart,” LCS coach Scott McKelvey said. “I told the guys there’s nothing more I could have asked for them. I’m very proud of them. Their leader went down and everybody stepped up the best they could.”

The game was close from the opening tip. LCS closed both the first and second quarters with late baskets to give themselves a one-point lead at each of the intervals.

In the end, however, LCS had no answer for the Falcons inside-outside combination of Christian Harrington and Tyler Welch.

Welch (15 points, 15 rebounds) dominated the boards while taking the ball to the hole with authority while Harrington hit for 24 points for the Falcons, including a huge 3-pointer midway through the third quarter that took some of the life out of the Cougars. He followed that up with a fast break layup and free throw and the Falcons turned what was a 27-26 Lenawee Christian lead into a 40-27 Falcon lead in less than four minutes.

The game was far from over, but that stretch took its toll on the Cougars, who began the fourth quarter trailing 40-29.

“It’s tough sometimes,” McKelvey said. “You get yourselves in the wrong position, they’re going to capitalize on it. I was proud we are were able to battle back.”

LCS climbed back into the game when it picked up the defensive intensity. Down 57-49, the Cougars scored on successive possessions to cut it to 57-51. Caleb Lilly grabbed a steal and dished it to Michael Braman for a layup to make it a 57-53 game with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. LCS was whistled for a foul on the next possession, but SMCC missed both free throws and was called for an over-the-back foul on the second free throw, sending LCS to the free throw line down just four points with just over a minute to play but couldn’t convert. Late free throws by SMCC made the final advantage 11.

“We are within four and at the line,” McKelvey said. “We could have cut it to two. Sometimes that can make all of the difference.”

SMCC shot 20-for-25 from the free throw line for the game. The Cougars went 15-for-18 from the charity stripe but managed just two 3-pointers, matching a season low.

“We had some good looks from three, they just didn’t fall for us,” McKelvey said.

McKelvey said the Cougars will learn from playing the Falcons, a well-coached, tournament-tested team.

“Those are the types of games you want to be in because, come tournament, you never know what kind of environment you are going to be in or what kind of circumstances you will get into,” he said. “That’s why we play the schedule we do.”

LCS JV: In the junior varsity game, freshman Tyler VanEtten drained a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to give the Cougars a 62-61 win over SMCC.

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